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Apple's Biggest Challenge May Be Apple

A recent report from Fast Company suggests that Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) failed to follow the wants of its user base in developing its most recent series of products. The report details how social media, through sites like Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) , can provide critical information to companies about what customers want. While that message was delivered to Apple, it was actually reflected in products that run on Google's Android instead.

In the video below, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses two paradigms for product development and why Apple may have to shift from one to the other, as well as where the company may be its own worst enemy.

Apple has a history of cranking out revolutionary products... and then creatively destroying them with something better. Read about the future of Apple in the free report, "Apple Will Destroy Its Greatest Product." Can Apple really disrupt its own iPhones and iPads? Find out by clicking here.

Fool contributor Doug Ehrman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Facebook, and Google. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple, Facebook, and Google. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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No, I think Apple's biggest challenge will be (as it always has been) resisting the urge to listen to the fools. (And, to avoid getting one at the helm.)

There have always been a number of 'experts' who thought they knew what Apple *should* be doing to be successful. Had Apple listened, it would have been the end for them. They have even had a few if these people at the helm, resulting in the 'dark years' before Jobs returned.

Now, actually listening to customer feedback is important, but not necessarily trying to aggregate the potential customer base as a whole. The idea that the majority-held opinion is correct is a failed hypothesis.

Their biggest challenge is to resist the urge to change from what they have always been... which is hard, given that it swims against the 'advice' they have always faced from the 'experts.'

The company has fallen behind? Maybe one of us needs to revisit Econ 101... sheesh!

The stock price is down due to foolishness within the gambling, oops 'investing' community. It has little to so with being an indicator if the success or otherwise of Apple.

re: marketshare - I think you need a few lessons there as well. Maybe start by doing a bit if research into actual usage stats. In other words, it's irrelevant how many phones, tablets, and toasters Android has been deployed on. What matters is how many, actually used (as smartphones), smartphones it is installed on. AND, even that only matters to a point (the point at which one player becomes insignificant to the market and developer base). What matters (and you should know this!) is Apple's profitability.